Returning to work
At the time of writing this article (February 2021), businesses are starting to discuss what returning to work looks like. With cyber-attacks on SME’s up by nearly 40% since we started working from home, now is a great time for your business to consider cyber security for when you return.
Put policy in place for reintroducing devices that have been at home
Policy seems such a formal way of putting it, but basically you need a plan. It will be a long time since everyone’s worked in an office environment and since working from home, our practices have all slipped a little. Viruses could have been downloaded and lie dormant; unauthorised software could have been downloaded; a child could have split juice over the keyboard. You actually don’t know what state your equipment is in, until you look.
Collection of data from home locations
With the combination of work life and home life, there are lots of places sensitive business data could have ended up that isn’t a business IT system. Have people used their personal emails at all? Is there data on USBs or external hard drives anywhere? Is there paperwork in someone’s spare room?
Cyber security training upon returning
Had we known we were going to work from home for over a year, I’m sure many of us would have undergone some working from home cyber security training. We would have spent time deliberately learning about the risks in this new working environment. Fortunately, we have been warned that we will be returning to the office and so it’s a great time to relearn those policies and practices we’ve not had to think about for a while.
Back up your data
Ransomware has been increasing since 2019. As people return to work and start to centralise their IT systems again this will become an increasingly valuable
target to hackers. One quick way you can defend yourself against the disruption that can cause to your business is to regularly backup your IT systems.
Review your needs
Inevitably your working setup will have changed and will continue to change once you’ve returned. Will you have a more relaxed working from home policy? Will you have a more relaxed Bring Your Own Device policy? Are you looking to hire more staff? Or let some go?
Find Out More
If you enjoyed this briefing paper, check out our other digital resources which cover a wide range of topics, including quantum computing, social media, and 3D printing.
The Lancashire Cyber Foundry runs a series of business strategy and cyber workshops specifically designed for SMEs in Lancashire. We’re passionate about seeing Lancashire business become more cyber-aware and innovative and so offer funded places for companies to come and learn how to defend, innovate and grow their business. Additionally, we have an experienced technical team ready to help you with your business innovation ideas, particularly around cyber and digital innovation.
To find out more about how your business can access support or register on one of upcoming workshops, contact us:
About the Author
Geraint Harries
Before starting at Lancaster University over four years ago, Geraint had worked in software development roles in IBM and the Civil Service. In addition to being a qualified teacher, Geraint has worked freelance with a varied client base as a software developer and graphic designer.
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